Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-10-10
COMPLAINT TO BE MADE.
POwDERLY'S LETTER.
The Relations Between the Knights of
Labor and Catholic Church.

MISNEAPoLIS. October 9th.-The letter
prepared by General Master Workman
Powderly upon the attitude of the Catholic
Church toward the Knights of Labor, which
has been awaited with a great deal of inter-
est by members of the Order throughout
the country, was completed tonight and
will be presented to the General Assembly
tomorrow. Referring to the meeting of
Catholic ArchbIshops year ago Powderly
says 1t had been represented TO the eccle-
siastlcal authorities that the Knights were
seeking to revolUtionize generally accepted
fundamental principles by claiming for
labor the right to dictate to capi-
tai, and In this manner were
seeking to bring intofu force popular SOW
erelgnty III opposition to private rights,
and that they were following the example
of the French Socialists ana arrogating to
themselves the right of ordering strikes
whenever 1t suited their purpose, and by
these strikes cause loss of life and destruc-
ton 1f property ; and that should the Or
der prosper with its perniciOus principles,
it would lead its members and the working
classes generally from insubordination TO
anarchy and socialism. If the principles
of the Knights of Labor were ever to pre-
vail among the people, faith and religion
would be forever destroyed in our country.
Thus spoke the enemies of organized Ia
Dor. Mr.. Powderlv then referred to the
interview had by himself and Messrs.
Hayes and O'Reilly with Cardinal Glib
bons. at the latter's request, in which they
submitted to his EmineDce that the uni
tying force of the Order consisted in the
force and purity of the principles incul-
Gated. and the cultivation of moral intel
lectual and social happiness. We are like
band of brothers engaged in holy cause
which, far from absorbing, would
l. e
would intensity, elevate and ennoble
our patriotism. In our Order, composed
as it is of various European nationalities,
one of the most gratifying features is the
rapidity with which these become assimi-
lated and welded together, forming united
whole; strong and indissoluble. Believing
firmly in the righteousness of our cause
we ask your Eminence to examine the
records of our Order aud Of our prominent
members who have for years upheld our
principles 1t is our hope, as it is our de-
sire, to purge the Order of the violent ele-
ment, the element of radical men, who
want TO found a society Of atheistic an
arcby."
During the Interview, which was of long
duration, Cardinal Gibbons said in sub
stance; After what we have Just learned
the present condition OF the Oider is to us
an unmistsksble indication that the con-
troll OF your organization still rests with
the conservative element, aud is guar
antee tJat there will be no rash and daa-
gerous departure from those features of its
policy which command the forbearance
and respect, if not the approval of the en-
tire country. We now infer that the Oh
jects of the Knights OF Labor are praise
worthy and IN no way opposed TO the
views OF the Catholic Church Catholic
prelates will declars in favor Of Labor.
The Catholic Church in America will
take the side of the weaker against the
stronger. We readily believe that to rescue
| the toilcr from the grasp of the selfish is a
| work worthy OF the noblest and bes, of our
race, and We recognize that il il 10 the
| accomplishment OF thst grand obi.et that
| tae order OF the Knights Of I.shrr is bend
! ing its every energy. The CAV ,ch is jnstjy
watchfal against all secret organizations.
There is no need Of 5ecrscy where the eads